With the NHL playoff race heating up, we track the teams impacted by last night’s results and which of tonight’s games will affect the playoff picture.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
Who’s already clinched? Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning
Who can clinch tonight? The Rangers would clinch a playoff berth if the New Jersey Devils lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion.
What’d I miss? The Columbus Blue Jackets took a step closer to securing a wild card berth with a 4-0 victory over the New York Islanders. Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves while Boone Jenner and Mark Letestu each added a goal and an assist. The win gave Columbus a three-point cushion over New Jersey and Toronto with just four games to play. They also moved within a point of Detroit for the top wild card spot and two points clear of Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan. Philadelphia was able to match the Blue Jackets’ two points with a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The Flyers ended their scoring skid with two goals from Brayden Schenn while Mark Streit added three assists. Philly was on a 0-2-2 skid entering the game. At the top of the division, the Penguins managed to beat the Colorado Avalanche without Sidney Crosby. Brandon Sutter potted two goals while Jussi Jokinen picked up the lone shootout marker to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 victory. The Penguins have essentially clinched the second seed in the East as they head into the final week of the regular season.
Monday’s game to watch: Calgary Flames @ New Jersey Devils: New Jersey is the only Eastern team in action Monday night. The Devils’ playoff chances took a big hit with Columbus’ win on Sunday. They trail the Jackets by three points and cannot afford to waste an opportunity to gain ground. After a 5-2-3 stretch, New Jersey was able to thrust themselves back in the playoff race. Throughout that run, the Devils have not lost in regulation over their past seven games. Calgary can only play the role of spoiler at this point.
Fun fact: Boone Jenner’s 14 goals are the most by a Columbus rookie since Rick Nash’s 17 in 2002-03.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
Who’s already clinched? St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings
Who can clinch tonight? There are no clinching scenarios in the Western Conference.
What’d I miss? The Dallas Stars blew an early two-goal lead to fall 3-2 to the Florida Panthers in a game they needed to separate themselves in the wild card race. Dallas entered Sunday one point up on the idle Coyotes — who are now within striking range with four games left to play. It was an equally tough night for the Anaheim Ducks, who were beaten 4-2 by a suddenly-inspired Edmonton Oilers club. Taylor Hall added a goal and two assists to hurt Anaheim’s chances of gaining ground in the Pacific Division. Now, the Ducks are just one point ahead of the San Jose Sharks, but still have a game in hand while the team remains three points back of St. Louis for the top spot in the conference. In the Central, Colorado was able to pick up a point in a shootout loss to the Crosby-less Penguins. With that, Colorado still leads Chicago by two points heading into the final week. They appear destined for a first-round playoff matchup.
Monday’s game to watch: Anaheim Ducks @ Vancouver Canucks: After coming up short in Edmonton, Anaheim hopes to extend their lead in the Pacific Division with San Jose idle. They’ll go up against a Vancouver team that they have owned this season. Anaheim has outscored the Canucks 14-2 in their past two contests, including a 9-1 victory. While Anaheim is focused on its playoff position, Vancouver is in desperate need to steal two points to grasp any hope of playoff life. The Canucks are six points behind Dallas for the second wild card spot with just four games to go. The good news for the Canucks: Anaheim is on the back end of a back-to-back and had to travel after Sunday’s loss.
Fun fact: Eddie Lack is just one start away from tying a Canucks franchise record for most consecutive starts by a rookie goaltender. (Corey Hirsch — 19).
The rest of tonight’s schedule:
-Wild @ Jets: Wild closing in on playoff spot but are just 16-17-7 on the road this year.